BRAHMA CADETS PROMOTED

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Kingsville, TEXAS— Cadet Bryce Nix and Cadet Michael Beal of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) were officially promoted to the rank of Cadet Airman (C/Amn) on 16 April 2007 and 17 April 2007 respectively upon meeting the criteria for the Major General John F. Curry Award.

These represent the first promotions for what has been dubbed “the Kingsville Effort” as the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron expands the missions of the Civil Air Patrol into Kleberg and Southern Nueces County.

To attain the Major General John F. Curry Award, Civil Air Patrol cadets must complete a four part training including; study of the first Chapter of the Cadet Leadership Program, a study in Moral Leadership, a Physical fitness test and regular and outstanding attendance of Squadron Activities in support of CAP’s misisons.

This achievement opens the door for cadets to continue their LEADERSHIP training for further advancement in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program as well as to begin training in the EMERGENCY SERVICES mission of the Civil Air Patrol.

“Once Cadets earn the Curry Achievement” said Major Joe Ely Carrales Corpus Christi Composite Squadron Commander, “then they actually apply those lessons in leadership as members in fields ranging from communications to emergency services in support of saving lives. That is, if that is the course they choose.”

The first official meeting of the Brahma Cadet Flight of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron was held on Thursday 22 March 2007 at Memorial Middle School in Kingsville, Texas. The effort is backed by Memorial Middle School Principal Roel Gonzalez and is being administered by 8th Grade American History Teacher Major Joe Ely Carrales.

The Civil Air Patrol performs three main missions -- emergency services, aerospace education and cadet training. CAP's emergency services include air and ground search and rescue, disaster relief, counterdrug, and an increasing role in homeland security. Its members fly more than 95 percent of the inland search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue and Coordination Center. Adults aged 18 and above may join the CAP Officer Program.

Students age 12-21 may join the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program where they learn leadership & citizenship along with aerospace education and participation in Emergency Services.